Parallel break-out session: Protecting our life support system

Three parallel breakout sessions will provide the opportunity to explore in greater depth three broad topics that are critical to the EU’s future: climate, biodiversity and a non-toxic circular economy. They will follow a similar structure with speakers from different sectors addressing the following points:

• What is the nature and scale of the challenge?
• What actions are being taken?
• What still needs to be done, by when and by whom?

The breakout sessions will be designed to allow plenty of opportunity for interactive participatory discussions. Each breakout session is expected to result in a set of recommendations or ideas for further actions which will be reported back to the plenary.

Biodiversity continues to decline at an alarming rate, while soils are being eroded and water status is not good. This session will address some of the main threats to nature on land and in the oceans e.g. from agriculture, and what can be done by whom to address the challenge.

Moderator:

• Sergiy Moroz, Senior Policy Officer for Water and Biodiversity, European Environmental Bureau

Rapporteur:

• Luc Bas, Director of the European Union Representative Office , International Union for Conservation of Nature

 Speakers:

• Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director for Natural Capital, DG Environment, European Commission
• Marta Santamaria, Policy Director, Natural Capital Coalition
• Anna Heslop, Lawyer, Wildlife Project Leader, ClientEarth